Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies 2018; 6(1): 934-937
E-ISSN: 2320-7078
P-ISSN: 2349-6800
JEZS 2018; 6(1): 934-937
© 2018 JEZS
Received: 18-11-2017
Accepted: 19-12-2017
Azhar A Al-Moussawi
Iraq Natural History Research
Center and Museum, University
of Baghdad, Iraq
Wasan Addai Al-Marsomy
College of Science for Females,
University of Baghdad, Iraq
Mustafa M Saeed
College of Science for Females,
University of Baghdad, Iraq
Correspondence
Azhar A Al-Moussawi
Iraq Natural History Research
Center and Museum, University
of Baghdad, Iraq
Infection of local chicken Gallus gallus domesticus
Linnaeus, 1758 (Galliformes, Phasianidae) with
the cestode Raillietina echinobothrida (Megnin,
1881) (Cestoda: Cyclophyllidea) and intestinal
microorganisms
Azhar A Al-Moussawi, Wasan Addai Al-Marsomy and Mustafa M Saeed
Abstract
Twenty five of local chicken G. g. domesticus Linnaeus, 1758 in Baghdad area were dissected and
searched for cestodes and intestinal microorganisms. Intestines of five individuals (20%) were found
infected with the cestode Raillietina echinobothrida (Megnin, 1881) and nine bacterial species (Bacillus
cereus, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus subtilis, Enterobacter aerogenes, Enterococcus faecalis,
Escherichia coli, Lactobacillus sp., Proteus vulgaris and Staphylococcus epidermidis). Relationship
between the cestode and bacteria was discussed. Morphology of bacterial colonies and biochemical tests
of bacterial growth in intestines were provided.
Keywords: Gallus gallus, Raillietina echinobothrida, intestinal microorganisms
1. Introduction
Chicken is a rich source of protein, minerals and vitamins [1]. It is susceptible to some parasites
that affect poultry causing significant losses [2]. Previous studies that dealt with helminthic
parasites of Gallus domesticus have been carried out, from those which conducted in Iraq that
revealed recording many protozoan species, Eimeria spp. by Shamsuddin and Jasim [3], Al-
Khalidi et al. [4], Al-Alousi [5] and Al-jaumeili and Aljoburi [6]; Toxoplasma gondii by Al-
Kennany et al. [7], Alkhaled et al. [8], Al-Sanjary and Hussein [9], Al-Mayali et al. [10] and Al-
Nasrawi et al. [11]; Haemoproteus spp., Leucocytozoon spp. and Plasmodium spp. by Abd
Allah [12] and Hasson [13]; the ectoparasites found were Argas persicus, Campanulotes
bidentatus comopare, Columbicola columbae, Cotugnia sp., Cuclotogaster heterographus,
Dermanyssus gallinae, Goniocotes gallinae, Gonoides gigas, Menacanthus stramineus,
Menopon gallinae and Pseudolynchia canariensis [6; 14; 15]; the nematodes, Amidostumum
anseris, Ascaridia galli, Capillaria obsignata, Capillaria sp., Cheliospirura hamulosa,
Dispharynx nasuta, Epomidiostumum sp., Heterakis gallinarum, Subulura brumpti and S.
suctoria, Tetrameres Americana [4; 15; 16; 17 ;18] and the cestodes, Amoebotaenia sphenoides,
Choanotaenia infundibulum, Davainea proglottina, Hymenolepis carioca, H. cantainana,
Raillietina cesticellus, R. echinobothrida and R. tetragona [4, 15, 17, 18]. Raillietina
echinobothrida is a widely-dispersed avian cestode which occurs in the small intestine of the
fowl in most parts of the world [19]. It is the most pathogenic and prevalent species infecting
Gallus [20]. It was isolated from G. domesticus by Al-Khalidi et al. [4] in Iraq. The gut of poultry
is populated with microorganisms [21] which are essential components of the intestinal
ecosystem [22], Bacteria are predominant in this ecosystem [23]. Most birds are hosts to some
species of cestodes, R. echinobothrida is one of the most pathogenic tapeworms, because of its
association with nodular disease of chickens in heavily infested [24].
The present study is an attempt to study the intestinal bacteria of the local chicken Gallus
gallus domesticus and the interaction between it and the with the cestode Raillietina
echinobothrida infects the chicken.
2. Materials and methods
Twenty five individuals of local chicken G. g. domesticus were purchased from the local
market in Baghdad city during the period from 1-1-2017 to 1-9-2017,
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they brought to the laboratory, dissected and the intestines there are many small scattered nodules (Fig. 1), we think this
were searched for cestodes and intestinal microorganisms. may due to the infection with R. echinobothrida, this agrees
The isolated cestodes were killed, cleaned, stained with with findings of Mönnig [19] who mentioned that the
acetocarmine, dehydrated by passing through a series of penetration of R. echinobothrida into the mucosal and
alcohol concentrations, cleared by xylene and mounted in submucosal layers of the duodenum cause the formation of
canada balsam. Recovered cestode was identified as in nodules, and the young worms of R. echinobothrida cause the
Sawada [25]. Contents of the guts were treated by adding 1gm destruction of these two layers, that may allow bacteria to
of it into 9 ml of sterile distilled water. The mixture was enter the tissues, as we noticed in this study, the presence of
thoroughly shaken well to precipitate the microorganisms. A lesions and necrosis may be caused by bacterial infections in
serial dilution up to 10-5 was prepared. An aliquot (0.1ml) was the internal surface of infected intestines with the cestode
inoculated to nutrient agar plates from each of 10-4 and 10-5 (Fig. 2), this explains the infection of G. g. domesticus in the
dilution. Plates were allowed to be dry then incubated at 37°C present study with bacteria.
for 18-24 hr., bacterial colonies were transferred to separated Previous studies have discussed the relationship between
agar plates and sub-cultured thrice to obtain pure cultures. bacteria and the parasitic worms that inhabit the same
Cultures were maintained on agar slants and examined for environment, Zaiss and Harris [35] indicated that infection with
colony morphology and characteristics following Jin [26]. helminthes can affect the intestinal microorganisms by
altering the intestinal physiology and production of
3. Results and discussion antimicrobial peptides. While Johnson and Reid [36] and
Five of 25 specimens (20 %) of G. g. domesticus found Biswal et al. [37] and Biswal et al. [23] suggested an intimate
infected with 9 specimens of the cestode Raillietina relationship between them by the role of the bacteria
echinobothrida which found attached to the small intestines of contributing the development of the parasite by fermenting
the chicken during the present study. R. echinobothrida was the food products producing acid that use by the cestode as a
isolated in Iraq from three species of the genus Gallus; G. source of nutrition and energy.
bankiva, G. ferrigineus and G. g. domesticus [4, 25]. Other
reports were in the rock dove Columba livia [27; 28], in the
collared dove Streptopelia decaocto [28] and in the house
sparrow Passer domesticus biblicus [29; 30].
Results obtained from the present study have demonstrated
that the most common microorganisms of chicken intestines
were (Bacillus subtilis, Enterobacter aerogenes, Escherichia
coli, and Lactobacillus sp.) as shown in table (1 & 2). They
seem as normal in the chicken intestine as it cleared by Saliu
et al. [31] who indicated that Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis,
Enterobacter aerogenes, Escherichia coli, Lactobacillus sp.,
Proteus vulgaris and Staphylococcus epidermidis occurred in
Fig 1: Shows scattered nodules on the surface of the small intestine
the digestive tracts of the free ranger chickens. Pan and Yu [21] of the chicken.
reported Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus as predominant
bacteria in the chickens.
Table 1 and 2 have shown that there are varieties of bacterial
growth in chicken intestine. Enterobacter sp., Enterococcus
sp. and Lactobacillus sp. were considered as normal
microorganisms found in the intestine. Although E. coli is
also found as normal microflora of the intestine of chicken,
but its presence is restricted by the growth of Lactobacillus
sp. which suppresses E. coli by producing lactic acid, which
lowers the pH to a level which is suitable for its growing,
whilst the most other bacteria, such as E. coli cannot [32].
Meanwhile the parasite-infected intestines have shown lower
ranges of Lactobacillus sp. growth than uninfected ones, this
gives a chance for E. coli to grow as the pH of the intestine is
tended to be 6.3 [33]. Staphylococcus epidermidis was isolated
from some of infected intestines, it is considered as an
opportunistic bacterium, which can be pathogenic under
appropriate conditions [34]. Bacillus spp. have been associated
with embryo mortality in chickens; Lactobacilli and specific
strains of Bacillus spp. such as Bacillus subtilis can inhibit
colonization with E. coli in the digestive tract [24].
Fig 2: The internal surface of infected intestine of the chicken shows
In the present study, we noticed that the mucosa of the
lesions.
infected small intestines was found with thickened wall and

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Table 1: Bacteria biochemical test

Triple Sugar Iron

MR. VP. Test

Nitrate Reductase Test

Simmon’s Citrate Test
Lactose Fermenter

Test
Oxidase Test

Motility Test
Urease Test
Indole Test

Bacteria
Isolates

Slant
MR.

Butt

Gas
H2S
VP.
1 + - + + - - - + + A A - + E. coli
2 + - - - + + - + + A A - + Enterobacter aerogenes
3 + + - + - + - - - A A - - Bacillus subtilis
4 + - - - - - - - - A A + - Lactobacillus sp.
5 - - + + - - + + + A A + + Proteus vulgaris
6 - - - + - + - - - A A - - Bacillus megaterium
7 + - - + - - - - - A A - - Enterococcus faecalis
8 + - - + - - + - + A A - + Staphylococcus epidermidis
9 - + - - + + - + - K A - + Bacillus cereus
A= acid, K= alkaline

Table 2: Bacterial colony morphology

Gram Reaction

Pigmentation
Elevation

Textures
Margin
Isolates

Shape

Size
1 Negative Circular Entire Raised Small Muciod Colorless
2 Negative Circular Entire Convex Small Shiny Yellow
3 Positive Irregular Wavy Umbonate Large Rough White
4 Positive Circular Entire Convex Puncture Smooth White
5 Negative Circular Entire Convex Small Muciod Tan
6 Positive Irregular Wavy Convex Large Rough White
7 Positive Circular Entire Convex Large Shiny White
8 Positive Circular Entire Convex Pinhead Muciod White
9 Positive Irregular Wavy Umbonate Large Rough White

4. Conclusion Agriculture Sciences. 2015; 15(4):144-148.

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